Q: What are group clinics?

A: Group clinics are a way for you to spend more time with your specialist or community doctor, nurse or GP, get your one-to-one review and get answers to your questions alongside a small group of others living with similar health issues. You may also get advice from specialist nurses and doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dieticians, social prescribing link workers and health coaches in this way.

You spend longer with the clinician than you would in a one-to-one appointment. People find having more time for questions and the chance to learn from other people’s experiences and share their own mean they learn more, cope better and often succeed in keeping themselves well.

Q: What happens at a group clinic? 

A: At your group clinic you get the clinical review and support you need. You get answers to your specific questions and there is group discussion about health issues too.  

Your group clinic lasts between up to 45 minutes. There are usually up to 6 people in a group.  

Once you’ve arrived a member of the clinic team who is running the group clinic will greet you. The facilitator’s job is to keep the group together and make sure the clinic stays on track.  

You will be asked to confirm your identity. Then they will start the session by reminding everyone in the group to keep information confidential and to follow some simple group rules or understandings that help you to get the most out of the clinic and your time with your clinician.  

Each member of the group introduces themselves. There is time to review and understand your condition and your main concerns about it. Then you come up with questions for your clinician who joins the group after about 15 minutes. When the clinician joins, they discuss and answer common questions with the group. Everyone will have the opportunity to speak to the clinician in turn while the rest of the group benefit from hearing the consultation. The facilitator wraps up after 45 minutes and you get the chance to reflect on what you have learnt and what you want to do next to keep well.  

Q: Do I consent to participate? 

A: Yes, there is a consent process in place, and this helps you and others stay safe and preserves the whole group’s confidentiality. 

Q: What’s the benefit of a group clinic? 

A: Group clinics are a very engaging consultation model for people with a whole range of health care issues. They are a real and better alternative for many people.  

Group clinics are up and running all over the UK. They have proved popular. People say that they enjoy hearing the experiences and getting advice from other people in a similar situation. They also like having longer with the clinician to talk about their concerns and for questions. They enjoy sharing what has worked for them with others and hearing about others’ successes. They feel less isolated and alone, managing their health issues. People who attend group clinics see their health improving and need to go to hospital less. 

Q: Can I still have a one-to-one telephone or face to face consultation with my doctor or nurse? 

A: Of course, sometimes it is more appropriate for your appointments to be done as a private one to one. If you have been invited to a group clinic, your clinician has decided that this is an appropriate way to approach this appointment. During your group clinic consultation, a private one to one consultation may be required as a follow up. Equally if you have concerns before this appointment, you can raise these to the group clinic team. This will be investigated by your clinician and the appointment type may be changed. 

Q: How do I know a group clinic is for me? 

A: You won’t know until you give it a go! People tell us they really enjoy the experience. Group clinics might not suit everyone. If you are feeling anxious beforehand, let the facilitator know. It is also OK to join a group and just listen and see if it is for you. You can even join in and decide to leave if it isn’t right for you. At any point you want to leave a group, you can do.  

Q: What happens if I don’t want to say anything in a group clinic? 

A: Do let your facilitator know if you are feeling worried about being in a group. It is OK to join a group to just listen. You will still learn a lot and many people who do this and end up joining in once they feel comfortable.  

Q: What happens if I change my mind when I’m in a group clinic? 

A: If you feel the group clinic isn’t working for you, let the facilitator know. You can leave at any time. The team asks for feedback at the end of every group clinic so let your facilitator know if you think things could be improved.  

Q: Can I record my group clinic session? 

A: No. To ensure all information shared in the session is kept confidential and your privacy is fully respected. This means you must not record, share or post any aspect of the session. It’s in everyone’s interest to respect this.  

Q: How is my health information kept confidential during a group? 

A: We assure this in three ways. First, before the group, all participants are sent an agreement to not to share any information discussed within the group. Unlike the confidentiality regulations surrounding a clinician’s obligation to keep all information confidential, this is not enforceable by law. However, as all participants will be sharing personal information, it is in everyone’s interests to respect this.  

Second, when you join the session, the facilitator asks you to consent to share limited and relevant information about your condition with the group. This information will be shared with the group in the form of a Discussion Board. You consent verbally. 

Third, the clinic team makes a record that you have consented and note this in your computer record.    

Clinic teams get training and support in preserving confidentiality and safe information sharing.  

Q: Will there be any follow up after the group clinic? 

A:  You will be given open bypass access to the group clinic facilitator and clinician for 7 days following the group clinic.  If you have any private concerns or the clinician feels you needs some further one to one time or follow up, then you can be booked in for a follow-up one to one appointment as usual. We expect you will have a positive experience and will book in to further group clinics when you are invited.  

Q: Can patients get together and form their own groups after a group clinic? 

A: Yes. Some people find that they get on well, form friendships and want to carry on meeting to support each other after they meet at group clinics. Getting involved if this happens is your choice.  Being part of a support group helps some people stick to their goals and keep motivated to make lifestyle changes that may help with you manage your condition and recovery. Your clinician can refer you to support groups that already exist. Ask about this if you are interested.